Depository system

ABSTRACT

Integral with a high speed, computer control banking machine is a depository system to provide a fully automatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entry gate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordance with computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through the entry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a belt transport extending to a printing station. Positioned along the belt transport is a second sensor, which in combination with the first sensor, determines the length of an inserted envelope to insure acceptance by the depository stacker pockets. After an envelope has been transported to the printing station, a numeric print machine is actuated to imprint on the envelope identifying data. A sensor responsive to the completion of the printing cycle actuates a transverse transport for delivering the envelope into one of two stacker pockets. An envelope deposited in one of the stacker pockets is detected by a light sensor that controls an elevator platform to insure sequential stacking of each inserted envelope.

Unite States Patent [1 1 Cothran et al.

1 Mar. 25, 1975 1 1 DEPOSITORY SYSTEM [52] US. Cl 209/1ll.7,271/184,101/93 R [51] Int. Cl. B07c 5/342 [58] Field of Search 270/82,83, 85;

194/010. 9 B, 1,4R,4B,4C,4D,4E,4F, 4 o; 133/1;-271/68, 69,66; 209 1 1,7, 75, pro, 2, 82; 232/1 D [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS2,355,105 8/1944 Preston 270/82 3,159,277 12/1964 Carlson et a1. 194/4 B3,222,057 12/1965 Couri l94/DIG, 9 B 3,335,407 8/1967 Lange et a1235/616 3,426,879 2/1969 Walker l94/D1G. 9 B

3,442,363 5/1969 Riddle et a1 l94/DIG. 9 B

3,446,328 5/1969 Boyce et a1. l94/D1G. 9 B

3,487,905 1/1970 James, Sr. 194/D1G. 9 B 3,513,298 5/1970 Riddle et a1l94/DlG. 9 B 3,629,834 12/1971 Randall r 194/D1G. 9 B 3,643,818 2/1972Gallucci 27l/D1G. 4 3,662,343 5/1972 Goldstein 194/D1G. 9 B

3,683,943 8/1972 Crepy ..194/D1G.4R

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichards,Harris & Medlock [57] ABSTRACT lntegral with a high speed, computercontrol banking machine is a depository system to provide a fullyautomatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entrygate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordancewith computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through theentry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a belttransport extending to a printing station. Positioned along the belttransport is a second sensor, which in combination with the firstsensor, determines the length of an inserted envelope to insureacceptance by the depository stacker pockets. After an envelope has beentransported to the printing station, a numeric print machine is actuatedto imprint on the envelope identifying data. A sensor responsive to thecompletion of the printing cycle actuates a transverse transport fordelivering the envelope into one of two stacker pockets. An envelopedeposited in one of the stacker pockets is detected by a light sensorthat controls an elevator platform to insure sequential stacking of eachinserted envelope.

8 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR25 I975 SHEETlQf'I FIG.

PATENTEB HAR25|975 3.873 .443

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FIG. [3

TURN ON LONGITUDINAL XPORT 3,; FIG. I8

PISFLAY MESSAGE INSERT ENVELOPE INTO DEPOSITORY UNLOCK AND SET 6 SEC 1oPEN THROAT TIMER I INcREMENT ERRoR 336 NVELOPE No YEs YES YES 3 340 35INCREMENT ENVELOPE. N0 ERRoR Too I5ONG v 358 360 CLOSE THROAT SET 6 sEcYES AND LOCK TIMER 366 342 INCREMENT REVERSE xPoRT MoToR ERROR INcREMENTERRoR PRINT SERIAL NO 348 No. DEPosIT 'ggggQ ENVELOPE YES 350 382 MOVEENVELOPE YES 354 TO STACKER INcREMENT AND STACK INCREMENT ERR R 334 figERRoR 352 V SET 386 DEPOSITORY SHUTDOWN SBEJ'FEE ILICIg' L YES DEPosIT0R PAYMENT FORM DEPOSITORY SYSTEM This invention relates to a bankingmachine, and more particularly to an automatic depository system for usewith a computer control banking machine.

Recent studies have shown that attempts are being made by the bankingcommunity to influence the general public to use fewer checks in theirfinacial transactions and to reduce paper work for in-bank services.This is primarily due to the difficulty of handling and processing largeamounts of paper. In its place, there appears to be a wide use of creditcards for completion of daily household and business transactions.

A problem which has plagued the financial community with the increaseduse of credit cards is the unauthorized use of the card due to loss bythe owner or theft. This particular problem has been minimized by ascrambling coding technique as described in the U.S. Pat. 3,662,343 ofKenneth S. Goldstein and John D. White, entitled Credit Card AutomaticCurrency Dispenser.

With the risk of unauthorized use now minimized, the banking industryhas accepted automatic currency dispensers for unattended distributionof cash to complete some business and personal transactions. This,financial institutions have found, provides customer convenience andeliminates the need for the construction and operation of branch banks,which are expensive and unprofitable.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a complete automaticbanking system including a depository for accepting customer depositsand payments. An additional feature of the present invention is toprovide a depository system in an automatic banking machine responsiveto actuating signals from a computer controlled terminal machine. Adepository in accordance with the present invention accepts depositenvelopes, prints a serial number on each successive envelopecorresponding to the receipt serial number printed in the bankingterminal and stacks each envelope sequentially in either of two stackerpockets.

A depository system in accordance with the present invention is utilizedin conjunction with an automatic banking machine made operational inresponse to the insertion of a standard class A" credit card. Where suchautomatic banking machines are operated unattended, a customer is notlimited to normal banking hours or required to wait on the services ofabank employee to complete teller functions. However, the unattendedoperation of such automatic banking machines requires a strict securityoperation to prevent theft of funds and documents deposited therein.This requires careful control and checking of the depository system toinsure proper operation for each transaction. Of considerable importanceis the entry gate which responds to the proper opening control signalsand also securely closes to prevent removal of deposited envelopes. Itis also important in the unattended operation of a depository systemthat each deposit is identified with the corresponding transaction andonly envelopes meeting certain dimensional specifications are acceptedinto the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, an automatic documentdepository responds to commands from a computer controlled automaticbanking terminal. The depository includes an entry gate responsive to acommand from the terminal computer such that it is actuated from alocked closed position to an open position for receiving a depositenvelope. A transport for moving the deposited documents from the entrygate to a station displaced therefrom is actuated and sensors respond todocument movement through the transport to sense when the document haspassed the entry gate. The sensors then generate a signal to theterminal computer to close the gate from an open position to a lockedposition. A document deposited and moved through the transport enters astacker for storing the documents in the order received.

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages willbe apparent from the specification and claims and from the accompanyingdrawings illustrative of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a free standing model of an automaticbanking machine including a deposit module containing the depositorysystem of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a depository system utilizing-a longitudinalbelt transport and a chain transverse transport with two stackerpockets;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the longitudinal transport system for moving adeposit envelope from an entry gate to a print station;

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the entry gate control mechanism;

FIG. 5 is also a detailed view of the entry gate showing a gate opensensor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the longitudinal belt transport takenalong the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top view detail of a pair of belt transport tension rollers;

FIG. Sis a detailed view of the main drive for the Ion gitudinal belttransport;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the chain transverse transport of the depositorysystem of FIG. 2',

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the chain transverse transport takenalong the line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view detail of a depository envelope guide positionedbetween the longitudinal belt transport and a printing station;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the printing station including a fivecharacter numeric print machine;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the printing station showing the numeric printmachine actuator including a positioning solenoid;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of an actuator and micro switch for generatinga signal indicating the completion of a printing cycle as taken alongthe line l414 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an end view of a document stacker including two stackerpockets;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view of the drive mechanism for one ofthe stacker pockets of the document stacker taken along the line 1616 ofFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a detail view of an elevator pad of one stacker pocket takenalong the line 17-17 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the operation of a depository system inresponse to control signals from a computer controlled automatic bankingterminal.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a free standing automatic bankingmachine including a console 10 which houses all operating controls andindicators of a currency dispensing mechanism, a card handler, areceiptlvoucher printer and necessary power supplies in addition tocustomer interface equipment. In the free standing unit, the console ismounted within a cabinet 12 which also houses an electronic modulecontaining a computer and necessary interface connections to theconsole. Also housed within the cabinet 12 is a depository system 14containing an envelope transport, a printing station, envelope stackersand necessary power supplies. A storage rack 16 is positioned within thecabinet 12 above the depository system 14 and provides an area forstationery supplies, such as envelopes.

On the front panel of the console 10 there is arranged an array oftwelve push button keys in an amountlsecurity keyboard 18 for use by acustomer to interface with the computer of the electronic module. Inaddition to the push buttom keys on the amount/security keyboard 18, thefront panel of the console 10 includes a transaction keyboard 24consisting of twelve push buttons arranged in sets of three in fourrows. The type of banking transaction performed by the banking machinedepends upon the transaction key depressed in the keyboard 24.

In addition to the above controls and indicators, the front panel of theconsole 10 includes an instruction window display 26 that provides forviewing an illuminated display message drum. This drum instructs a userin the operation of the banking machine. The last user interface on thefront panel of the console 10 is a cash drawer 28 that fits flush withthe panel in a closed and locked position. A complete description of theconsole 10 and the various customer interface units will be found in thecopending patent application of Harold Don Fought entitled BankingMachine, filed Apr. 12, 1972, Ser. No. 243,339.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, if a deposit or payment function is selected byany one of the push buttons of the transaction keyboard 24, a controlsignal is generated to the depository system 14 to open an entry gate 30extending across the opening of the housing 32. The entry gate 30 is inthe form ofa full cylinder with a rectangular cutout extending along thelongitudinal axis of the cylinder and rotatably mounted in a cavity 34to rotate with a shaft 36 as an integral part of the gate 30. Movementof the entry gate 30 is controlled by a rotary solenoid 38 receiving anenergizing signal from the system computer and linked to the entry gateby means of a drive link 40 coupled to an arm 42, the arm 42 attached tothe entry gate shaft 36.

Opposite from the arm 42, the shaft 36 carries a cam 44 that positions acam follower 46 for actuating a micro switch 48. The rotation of the cam44 produces a movement of the cam follower 46 to actuate the microswitch 48 and thereby generate a signal to the system computer toindicate the entry gate 30 is open and ready to receive a depositenvelope.

An envelope inserted through the housing 32 is picked up by alongitudinal transport comprising upper belts 50 and 52 andcorresponding lower belts 54 and 55 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. At thehousing 32, the belts 50 and 52 travel on rollers 56 rotating on a shaft58 supported by pivot arms 60 and 62. The pivot arms 60 and 62 areindividually attached to a transport frame 64. By use of the pivoted armconstruction, the rollers 56 provide a floating action to the belts 50and 52 to adjust for various thicknesses of a deposit envelope insertedinto the system.

In the upper travel path for the belts 50 and 52 the belts pass underidler rollers 66 and then over tension rollers 68. To aid in trackingthe belts 50 and 52, spherical washers 71 and 73 are positioned betweenthe rollers 68 and the respective supporting arms 70 and 72. As shown bythe detail of FIG. 7, the tension rollers 68 are mounted to arms 70 and72 to rotate on a shaft 74. Each of the arms 70 and 72 is spring biasedby means of helical torsion springs 76 and 78. One end of each of thesprings 76 and 78 engages the respective arm 70 or 72 and the other endis attached to the shaft 74 by means of a collar 80. As constructed, thetension rollers 68 maintain the belts 50 and 52 in a taunt condition toprovide maximum transport power to move a deposit envelope through thedepository system.

Following the tension rollers 68, the belts 50 and 52 pass under idlerrollers 82 and then over a drive roller 84 secured to a drive shaft 124.The upper belts 50 and 52 extend only to the roller 84. The travel pathfor the upper belts also includes tension rollers 86 mounted by means ofarms 88 to a shaft 90 and biased to rotate counterclockwise. To maintainthe belts in a straight transport path the rollers 86 are equipped withspherical washers the same as the rollers 68.

The lower belts 54 and 55 travel about idler rollers 92 at a housing 34.The belts 54 and 55 pass over a table 94 to a diverter roller systemincluding idler rollers 96, 98 and 100. The purpose of this beltdiversion will be explained.

After passing over the idler roller 100, the belts 54 and 55 travel overidler rollers 102 at the end of the longitudinal transport path.

The return path for the belts 54 and 55 includes tension rollers 104mounted to be spring biased to maintain tension on the belts in thetravel path. Following the tension rollers 104, the belts 54 and 55 passover a drive roller 106 and then over an idler roller 108.

The drive roller 106 is powered by a transport motor 110 having asprocket 112 on an output shaft. A sprocket 114 is-mounted on the shaftsupporting the drive roller 106 and a timing belt 116 provides apositive drive link from the motor 110 to the drive roller 106. Alsomentioned on the shaft supporting the sprocket 114 is a sprocket 118that carries a timing belt 120 engaging a sprocket 122 mounted to theshaft 124 supporting the drive roller 84. Thus, operation of thetransport motor 110 through the timing belts 116 and 120 provides motionfor both the upper belts 50 and 52 and the lower belts 54 and 55.

As a deposit envelope passes through the housing 32 and enters thelongitudinal transport, the leading edge thereof interrupts a light beambetween a light source 126 and a photocell 128. A signal generated bythe photocell 128 informs the system computer that a deposit envelopehas been inserted into the depository system. As the envelope istransported along the longitudinal belt system, it interrupts a lightpath from a light source 130 to a photocell 132. Typically, thephotoeells 128 and 132 are of the type that have a change inconductivity varying with the light impinging thereon.

A signal from the photocell 132 is also transmitted to the systemcomputer as an indication that a deposit envelope has moved through thetransport to the photocell 132. As will be explained, if light to boththe photocells 128 and 132 is interrupted simultaneously, a too longenvelope signal is generated. This too long signal to the systemcomputer reverses the direction of operation of the transport motor 110and a deposit envelope is returned through the entry gate 30.

A deposit envelope transported through the longitudinal belt systemexits on a front table 134 as an extension of the table 94 and istransported by the lower belts 54 and 55 to a rear table 136. Centrallylocated within the rear table 136 is a window 138 below which ispositioned an ink pad block 140 rotatably mounted between brackets 142and 144. The ink pad block 140 is attached to the output shaft 146 of arotary solenoid 148. In the operation of the total depository system,prior to activating the transport, a signal from the central controlleractuates the solenoid 148 to rotate the ink pad block 140 in alignmentwith a printing wheel, as will be explained.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a deposit envelope moving over the front andrear tables 134 and 136 is positioned in the area ofthe transversetransport comprising parallel positioned, endless chains 150, 152 and154. Each of the chains 150, 152 and 154 rotates on an idler sprocket156, 158 and 160, respectively, and on a drive sprocket 162, 164 and166. The drive sprockets 162, 164 and 166 are mounted to a drive shaft168 carrying at one end thereof a drive sprocket 170. Coupled to thedrive sprocket 170 by means of a timing belt 172 is a transport motor174 having a sprocket 176 on the output shaft and carrying the timingbelt. The chains 150, 152 and 154 are positioned to travel laterallyacross the lower belts 54 and 55.

Each of the chains 150, 152 and 154 carries a sweeper as part of thecoupling link for the chain. The sweeper 178 for the chain 150 includesflexible wipers 182 and 1.84 that contacts with the plate 134 to sweep adeposit envelope therefrom into one of two stacker pockets. With regardto the chain 152, the sweeper 186 is also part of the coupling link andcomprises a flexible bar that travels through the space between theplates 134 and 136. This bar, as shown by reference in FIG. 6, extendsbetween the belts 54 and 55 in the groove formed by the idler rollers96, 98 and 100. This insures a positive sweeping of a deposit envelopefrom the tables 134 and 136 into one of the stacker pockets. For thechain 154, the sweeper 187 is part of the coupling link and is a solidbar that sweeps an envelope from the table 136. The sweeper 187 alsofunctions as a flag to interrupt a light path between a light emittingdiode and a photocell 261. Interrupting light from the photocell 261causes a signal to be sent to the system computer indicating that thetransverse transport has swept a deposit envelope into one of thestacker pockets. The system computer then sends a signal to de-energizethe transport motor 174.

As a deposit envelope enters the transverse transport mechanism, adivert plate 188, pivotally mounted to a support bracket 190, is rotatedto guide the envelope into the transverse transport mechanism and aprinting station. The divert plate 188 is positioned by means of arotary solenoid 192 having an arm 194 bolted to the output shaft. Acoupling link 196 interconnects the arm 194 to the divert plate 188. Asignal to energize the solenoid 192 is received from the system computerof the banking terminal.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, a deposit envelope positioned on the tables134 and 136 is moved into a printing station wherein a serial number ofthe transaction is imprinted thereon to match with an identical serialnumber on a receipt printed by operation of the console 10.

The transaction serial number is imprinted by a five digit numeric printmachine 198 driven against an envelope positioned on the tables 134 and136 by actuating solenoids 200 and 202 in response to a command signalfrom the system computer. The system computer generates the commandsignal as an envelope moves into the print station and interrupts energyimpinging on the photocell 264.

Each of the solenoids 200 and 202 is mounted on a base plate 204 andincludes an armature connected to a drive shaft 206. For the solenoid200, an armature 208 is biased into an extended position by means of aspring 210 in contact with a washer 212. Similarly, for the solenoid202, an armature 214 is biased into an extended position by means of aspring 216 engaging a washer 218 in contact with the shaft 206.

Secured to the shaft 206 is a solenoid driver link 226 having a rollerfollower 228 in contact with a mounting plate 230 supporting the numericprint machine 198. Similarly, the shaft 206 is connected to a driverlink 224 having a roller follower 229 in contact with the mounting plate230. Both the driver links 224 and 226 are rotatably mounted on a shaft207. The shaft 206 is mounted to the base plate 204 by means of brackets220 and 222. The mounting plate 230 includes bearings 232 and 234 forguiding the numeric print machine 198 by means of guide posts 236 and238.

In operation of the serial number printer, actuating the solenoids 200and 202 causes the shaft 206 to be pulled toward the solenoid coilsthereby rotating the driver links 224 and 226 on the shaft 207. Rotatingthe driver links 224 and 226 forces the rollers 228 and 229 against themounting plate 230 thereby driving the numeric print machine 198 againsta deposit envelope.

To signal the system computer that the numeric print machine 198 hasbeen actuated, a micro switch 243 attached to a bracket 224 as part ofthe base plate 204 is actuated by movement of a cam follower 246 withthe numeric print machine 198. The cam follower 246 is attached to themounting plate 230 by means of a bracket 248.

The entire assembly of the print module, as attached to the base plate204, is pivotally mounted to a support rod 250 (see FIG. 9) by means ofmounting brackets 252 and 254. The mounting brackets 252 and 254 areattached to the base plate 204. To secure the print module in place, alatch bar 256 is pivotally mounted to the base plate 204 and includesapertures for engaging a support bar 258 of the transverse transportmechanism. The latch bar 256 is biased into a latching position by meansof a spring 260.

Also mounted to the base plate 204 is a light emitting diode 262 thatprovides a light beam to the photocell 261 as part of the transversetransport. As the sweeper 187 of the chain 154 passes between the lightemitting diode 262 and the photocell, the photocell generates a homepositioned signal for the transverse transport to the system computerindicating a deposit envelope has been swept from the print station.

Referring to FIG. 9, to index the numeric print machine 198 from thesystem computer, a solenoid 266 is mounted to the frame of thetransverse transport. Energizing this solenoid drives an armature 268against a cam follower 240 to index the numeric print machine. Thenumeric print machine may also be indexed b manually rotating the printwheels.

After imprinting a serial number on a deposit envelope in the printstation, the transverse transport is actuated to sweep the depositdocument into one of two stacker pockets. Referring to FIGS. -17,envelopes from the transverse transport will be stored in one of thestacker pockets 272 or 274 in accordance with an established operatingprocedure. For example, all envelopes swept from the printing stationwill be stored in the stacker pocket 274 until this pocket has beenfilled to a preselected height. Then, the transverse transport willreverse direction to deposit envelopes in the stacker pocket 272.

To orient the stacker pockets with respect to the print station, ballbearing slides 276 and 278 are shown mounted to a support bracket 280.The longitudinal transport and the print station are mounted to move onthe tracks 276, 278.

Since the stacker pockets 272 and 274 are similar in construction andoperation, only the pocket 272 will be described in detail. Each stackerpocket comprises a rectangularly shaped housing to accept envelopeshaving a certain maximum dimensional outline. An envelope from thetransverse transport is delivered to the top of a stack of suchenvelopes supported in the stacker pocket 272 on a platform 282. Theplatform is guided by a linear motion slide 284. It is positioned bymeans of a chain 286 driven by a motor 288. The motor 288 couples to thechain 286 by means of a worm 290 engaging a worm gear 292, the lattermounted to a shaft 294 that also has attached thereto a sprocket 296 fordriving the chain. The chain 286 is attached to the platform 282 bymeans of tabs 298 and 300 bolted or otherwise secured to an extension ofthe platform 282.

At the top of the stacker pocket 272, there is a light source 302providing a light beam to a photocell 300. Each time a deposit envelopeis swept from the printing station by the transverse transport, as itfalls into the stacker pocket it breaks the light beam from the source302 to the photocell 300. If the beam is still broken when thetransverse transport reaches its home position, the depositoryelectronics produces a drive signal for the motor 288. The motor 288runs for a period sufficient to lower the position of the platform 282an increment sufficient to allow the next deposit envelope to enter thestacker pocket. Initially, the platform 282 is positioned at the top ofthe stacker pocket and is subsequently stepped to a lower limit as eachdeposit envelope is delivered into the pocket. When the platform 282 hasreached the lower limit, a micro switch (not shown) is actuated togenerate an instruction to the system computer that the pocket 272 isfull and cannot accept additional envelopes.

ln construction and operation, the pocket 274 is essentially the same asthe stacker pocket 272 wherein as an envelope enters the pocket a lightbeam from a source 306 to a photocell 304 is interrupted to position aplatform 310. When the platform 310 reaches a lower limit, a microswitch (not shown) is actuated to change operation to the stacker pocket272.

Referring to FIG. 18, when the depository receives a command from thesystem computer of the console 10 to accept a deposit, a programmedsequence is followed to complete each of the various transactions of thedepository and to check the operation thereof. Initially, thelongitudinal transport motor 110 is turned on by the computer in theturn on" transport step 312. Following energization of the transportmotor 110, the

system computer activates the instruction window display 26 to displaythe message lnsert Envelope lnto Depository as given by the display step314. Next, the entry gate 30 (throat) is unlocked and the rotarysolenoid 38 energized to open the entry gate. Unlocking and opening theentry gate 30 is completed in the unlock and open throat step 316. Atthis time, a 6 second time out 318 begins. Before the 6 second time out318 is completed, the cam 44'must actuate the micro switch 48 togenerate a gate open signal to the system computer. lnquiry 320 iscontinuously made to determine if the entry gate 30 has opened. Anegative response to the inquiry 320, indicating the entry gate has notfully opened, produces a negative response and the operation sequenceproceeds to inquiry 322 to evaluate if the six second time out 318 hasbeen completed. If the 6 second time out has not been completed, thesequence returns to inquiry 320.

A positive response to the inquiry 322, indicating the six second timeout 318 has been completed, advances the operation sequence to errorstep 326. A complete understanding of the error operation sequence willbe found in the copending patent application of Harold Don Fought.

A positive respose to the inquiry 320 advances the operating sequence toa sixty second time out 328. Envelope insert inquiry 330 is then made todetermine if the customer has inserted a deposit envelope through theentry gate. The photocell 128, responding to movement of an envelopethrough the entry gate, provides the system computer with the signal tocomplete the inquiry 330. A negative response to the inquiry 330advances the sequence to a timing inquiry 332 which is an operation thatchecks the time elapsed from the opening of the entry gate 30. lnquiry322 is a 15 second time check and a negative response returns thesequence to inquiry 330. A positive response advances the sequence to aflash display step 334 which produces a flashing display at theinstruction window 26. The sequence then advances to inquiry 336 whereina nega tive response returns the sequence to inquiry 330 and a positiveresponse advances the operation to an error step 338 which is a systemerror subroutine as described in the copending patent application ofHarold Don Fought.

A positive response to the envelope insert inquiry 330 advances thesequence to an envelope length inquiry 340 which is a determination ofthe envelope length. If light to both the photocells 128 and 132interrupted at the same time by an envelope in the longitudinaltransport, then inquiry 340 results in a positive response and thesequence advances to a reverse transport step 342 wherein the transportmotor is energized to run in a reverse direction to reject the depositenvelope through the entry gate 30. The envelope is returned during areturn step 344 and as the envelope clears the photocell 128 the systemcomputer energizes the solenoid 38 during a close throat step 346 toclose the entry gate. The operating sequence then advances to a throatlock inquiry 348 wherein a negative response advances the sequence to anerror step 350 and subsequently to a depository shutdown step 352. Apositive response to the inquiry 340 advances the sequence to an errorstep 354 which is an error operation to advance the total systemsequence to an error subroutine.

Returning to the envelope length inquiry 340, if a proper sized envelopehas been inserted through the entry gate 30 then as the light beam tothe photocell 132 is interrupted the photocell 128 will be receivinglight from the source 126. lnquiry 340 then generates a negativeresponse and the operating sequence advances to an ink counter step 356.During the ink counter step 356 the ink pad block 140 is rotated byenergizing the solenoid 148 and the numeric machine 198 is inked. Thesequence advances to a close throat step 358 wherein the solenoid 38 isde-energized to close the entry gate 30. A second time out 360 isstarted at this time and the sequence advances to the throat closedinquiry 362 in response to a signal from the switch 48 to determine ifthe entry gate 30 has been closed. A negative response to the inquiry362 indicates the entry gate has not been closed and the sequenceadvances to the inquiry 364 which makes a determination of whether ornot the 5 second time out 360 has been completed. A negative response toinquiry 364 returns the sequence to inquiry 362 and a positive responseadvances the sequence to an error step 366.

A positive response to the throat closed inquiry 362, indicating thatthe entry gate 30 has been closed and locked, advances the sequence to asecond time out 368 and then to an envelope position inquiry 370. When adeposit envelope moving through the longitudinal transport interruptsthe photocell 264 the envelope is in a print position. If an envelopehas not reached this position, inquiry 370 generates a negative responseto advance the sequence to a time inquiry 372 which makes adetermination of the 15 second time out 368. Before the 15 second timeout 368 has been completed, the sequence advances from inquiry 372 backto inquiry 370. After the 15 second time out, the sequence advances toreset the 15 second time out, at the end of this time out the sequenceadvances to a print and stack routine and sequences through a normalexit routine.

Interrupting the light source to the photocell-264 advances theoperating sequence to a print serial number step 376 wherein thesolenoids 200 and 202 are energized to position the numeric printmachine 198 to print a serial number on the deposit envelope. Thesequence then advances to a print condition inquiry 378 which respondsto a signal from the micro switch 242. if the micro switch 242 has notbeen'actuated by a return of the numeric print machine 198 to a homeposition, then a negative result is generated by the inquiry 378 and thesequence advances to an error step 380. A positive response to theinquiry 378, indicating that the numeric print machine 198 has trippedthe micro switch 242, produces a positive response to advance thesequence to a stacker step 382 wherein the transverse transport motor174 is energized to move the deposit envelope into one of the stackerpockets 272 or 274.

A stacking complete inquiry 384 is then made and if the stacking hasbeen completed, a positive response results from the inquiry 384 and thedepository function is completed. The sequence then advances to arecycle step 386 for returning the depository to a position forreceiving an additional deposit envelope.

If the stacking operation has not been completed, the inquiry 384generates a negative response and the operation advances to an errorstep 388.

In summary, the operation of the depository of the present inventionaccepts a deposit envelope after it has been inserted through an entrygate 30. The deposit envelope is then engaged by four belts andtransported to a print position. Three photocell sensors monitor theposition and length of the envelope during its transport. If anover-length envelope is detected, the transport motor l10-will reverseand the envelope is returned to the customer. For security, the entrygate is closed and locked after the deposit envelope clears the entrancephotocell 126. The print solenoids 200 and 202 are energized and, afterprinting has been verified, the transverse transport motor 142 isenergized to move the envelope to one of two stacker pockets. Thetransport motor stops when the transport home photocell 261 is blocked.1f the stacker photocell is blocked, the stacker elevator is lowereduntil the photocell is clear. If no errors have been incurred and atleast one stacker is not full, the depository is ready to processanother transaction.

While only one embodiment of the invention, together with modificationsthereof, has been described in detail herein and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it will be evident that various furthermodifications are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic document depository responsive to commands from acentral controller, comprising in combination:

an entry gate to said depository responsive to a command from thecentral controller to be actuated from a locked closed position to anopen position for receiving a deposit document,

transport means for moving a deposit document from said entry gate to astation displaced therefrom,

first sensor means responsive to a document moving through saidtransport means to generate a signal to the central controller when adocument has passed through said entry gate,

a second sensor displaced downstream from the first sensor in saidtransport means and generating a sig nal representing a passing documentwherein the generated signals from the first and second sensors arecoupled to the central controller to actuate said entry gate from anopen position to a closed locked position when a signal from the firstsensor is representative of the absence of a passing document and asignal from the second sensor is at a level representative of a passingdocument, and

stacker means receiving a document from said transport means for storingthe documents received.

2. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 wherein thecentral controller responds to the simultaneous occurrence of passingdocument signals from said first and second sensors to reverse thedirection of movement of a document through said transport means.

3. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 includingmeans for locking said entry gate in a closed position, said meansresponsive to an unlocking signal from the central controller.

4. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 includingdrive means coupled to said entry gate and energized by a command fromthe central controller to actuate said gate from a closed position to anopen position.

5. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 includingmeans responsive to the opening of claim 1 including a divert platenpositioned along said transport means remote from said entry gate toguide a deposit document into said stacker means.

8. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 7 wherein thecentral controller responds to a signal from said sensor means toactuate said divert platen from a first position to a divert position.

1. AN AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT DEPOSITORY RESPONSIVE TO COMMANDS FROM ACENTRAL CONTROLLER, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN ENTRY GATE TO SAIDDEPOSITORY RESPONSIVE TO A COMMAND FROM THE CENTRAL CONTROLLER TO BEACTUATED FROM A LOCKED CLOSED POSITION TO AN OPEN POSITION FOR RECEIVINGA DEPOSIT DOCUMENT, TRANSPORT MEANS FOR MOVING A DEPOSIT DOCUMENT FROMSAID ENTRY GATE TO A STATION DISPLACED THEREFROM, FIRST SENSOR MEANSRESPONSIVE TO A DOCUMENT MOVING THROUGH SAID TRANSPORT MEANS TO GENERATEA SIGNAL TO THE CENTRAL CONTRLLER WHEN A DOCUMENT HAS PASSED THROUGHSAID ENTRY GATE, A SECOND SENSOR DISPLACED DOWNSTREAM FROM THE FIRSTSENSOR IN SAID TRANSPORT MEANS AND GENERATING A SIGNAL REPRESENTING APASSING DOCUMENT WHEREIN THE GENERATED SIGNALS FROM THE FIRST AND SECONDSENSORS ARE COUPLED TO THE CENTRAL CONTROLLER TO ACTUATE SAID ENTRY GATEFROM AN OPEN POSITON TO A CLOSED LOCKED POSITION WHEN A SIGNAL FROM THEFIRST SENSOR IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ABSENCE OF A PASSING DOCUMENT ANDA SIGNAL FROM THE SECOND SENSOR IS AT A LEVEL REPRESENTATIVE OF APASSING DOCUMENT, AND STACKER MEANS RECEIVING A DOCUMENT FROM SAIDTRANSPORT MEANS FOR STORING THE DOCUMENTS RECEIVED.
 2. An automaticdocument depository as set forth in claim 1 wherein the centralcontroller responds to the simultaneous occurrence of passing documentsignals from said first and second sensors to reverse the direction ofmovement of a document through said transport means.
 3. An automaticdocument depository as set forth in claim 1 inCluding means for lockingsaid entry gate in a closed position, said means responsive to anunlocking signal from the central controller.
 4. An automatic documentdepository as set forth in claim 1 including drive means coupled to saidentry gate and energized by a command from the central controller toactuate said gate from a closed position to an open position.
 5. Anautomatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 including meansresponsive to the opening of said entry gate to generate a signal to thecentral controller to indicate the opening of said gate.
 6. An automaticdocument depository as set forth in claim 5 including timing meansactuated by the signal from said means responsive to the opening of saidentry gate and connected to said drive means for limiting the openperiod of said gate to an established time limit.
 7. An automaticdocument depository as set forth in claim 1 including a divert platenpositioned along said transport means remote from said entry gate toguide a deposit document into said stacker means.
 8. An automaticdocument depository as set forth in claim 7 wherein the centralcontroller responds to a signal from said sensor means to actuate saiddivert platen from a first position to a divert position.